Brookhaven Town budget includes more road improvement, snow removal spending

Brookhaven's proposed capital budget includes almost $48 million in new initiatives and more than $21 million in drainage and road improvement projects throughout the town.

The $80.1 million capital budget -- unveiled along with the town's $274.7 million preliminary budget last week -- would reduce spending by $12.9 million. It includes using $10.1 million for parks improvements and open space acquisitions.

Town Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro declined to provide specifics about road projects that would be addressed with capital funds, but said the money would be spread evenly among Brookhaven's six districts.

The preliminary budget also adds $1 million to the highway department budget for snow removal.

The proposed town budget from Republican Supervisor Edward P. Romaine would increase spending by about 1.8 percent.

The town board must approve the spending plan.

Democratic Councilwoman Connie Kepert said she would vote for the budget because it "holds the line on spending, which we try to do."

The budget includes no layoffs. The town relied on attrition to avoid layoffs this year. Brookhaven officials said those job reductions -- 21 full-time and 14 part-time employees -- will save about $1.5 million next year.

"I'm very happy about no proposed layoffs," Kepert said.

Republican Councilman Dan Panico said he wanted more time to review the spending plan but thought it "was well put together."

"The cuts in staffing through attrition, the course to not fill positions to bring down the number of employees, will produce significant cost savings," he said. "We still have stagnant revenues and increasing costs [but] the budget maintains the current levels of services."

Most homeowners would not see a tax increase under next year's budget, officials said. No raises are planned for elected officials.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Nov. 6.